Best fridges 2025: top models tested by Which?

If you choose a Which? Best Buy fridge, you can be sure you're getting one of the best models around.

That's because we assess every fridge in detail in our labs, from how well it will chill your food and maintain a stable temperature, preserving flavour and nutritional value for longer, to how easy it is to use and clean. We also investigate how much it will add to your energy bill, as some can cost much more than others to run. 

This guide examines the different fridge types, how much you should expect to pay and key features to look out for. It also reveals the best fridges we've tested.

Head to our fridge reviews to see all those we've tested.

Best fridges for 2025

These fridges are the best tall and under-counter freestanding models we recommend right now.

Which? members can log in to view our independent recommendations. Sign up to Which? and get full access to these results and all our expert reviews.

Head to our fridge reviews to read test results for of all the models we've seen in our lab. 

Fridge reviews by type

Looking for a specific type of fridge? Jump straight to our recommended models by type:

• Best integrated fridge
• Best under-counter fridge
• Best energy-efficient fridge

Why you can trust our fridge reviews

We test fridges in a laboratory, not a kitchen. Each fridge is tested in exactly the same way, regardless of brand or price. 

We examine factors such as cooling speed, energy efficiency, how well the recommended thermostat setting works, and whether the crisper compartment keeps fruit and vegetables fresh.

We don't take the manufacturer's word on things such as storage space, either. Instead, we measure how much useable volume you actually get. 

We don't rely on free samples – we buy all our fridges just as an ordinary shopper would to make sure we're completely impartial. 

Find out more about how we test fridges.

Where to buy a fridge

• Amazon sells fridges from brands including Fridgemaster, Hisense and Russell Hobbs. It also sells plenty of obscure brands we've never tested, so take extra care when shopping and always read our reviews. Amazon offers unpacking, installation, assembly and recycling services for large appliances (at additional cost).
• AO sells fridges at discounted prices to AO members, but non-members still have a wide spectrum of prices to choose from. Monthly instalment plans are available. Unpacking, door reversal and recycling is an extra cost.
• Currys sells a huge range of fridges, with the option to pay in instalments if you need to. It often has bundle deals for fridges and freezers. You can add on installation, door reversal and recycling of your old appliance for an additional fee. 
• John Lewis stocks fridges from many brands, including a small number of own-brand options. It often has deals on installation, offering it for free or half price.

Fridge types explained

If you’re replacing your old fridge, you’ll probably want the same type, whether that's a tall freestanding, tall integrated, freestanding under-counter or integrated under-counter model.

If you’re redesigning your kitchen, it’s worth deciding early on which type you want, when you’re planning the layout. Do you want an integrated fridge that’s hidden away behind kitchen cupboard doors or a freestanding one you can put anywhere? Or perhaps you want a small under-counter fridge with ice box to fit neatly beneath a worktop.

Freestanding fridges

• Most widely-available, meaning you have a better chance of buying a good one that meets all your requirements at a cheap price
• Lots of choice of colours and finishes
• Easy to move if you redesign your kitchen or move home

See all of our freestanding fridge reviews to pick the best one within your budget.

Integrated fridges

• Sit behind cupboard doors and blend in with your kitchen units.
• These can be tall, under-counter or designed to fit above waist height into a tall bank of cupboards.
• There are fewer models to choose between, compared with freestanding fridges, so your chances of buying a cheap one that meets all your criteria are reduced.
• Tend to use more energy than freestanding models, so running costs are higher.
• If you want to redesign your kitchen in the future, you'll need to work around your built-in fridge.

Take a look at all of our integrated fridge reviews to find the best one for you.

Other types of fridge

Fridges with ice boxes

• An icebox is handy if you need to keep frozen food accessible, although it will eat into your space for storing chilled food
• It will allow you to keep your chilled food and frozen food together in one place 
• Fridge with ice boxes can be useful for chilling drinks quickly and cost about the same as fridge-only models.

Head to our ice box fridge reviews to find the best model for you.

Looking for somewhere to store wine? See our guide to the best wine fridges. 

Best fridge features to look out for

The fridge features you choose will depend largely on your budget, as most of the nice-to-haves will bump up the price. But which features are worth paying more for?

We think the following features will come in handy and shouldn't make much difference to the overall cost.

• Adjustable shelves give you the flexibility to set the space as you want it.
• Salad crisper drawers that slide smoothly, but don’t slide all the way out too easily as this can cause you to drop the drawer and all its contents.
• Adjustable door racks, so you can create more space if you need to store tall bottles.

Besides these three features, you should also evaluate the following list to work out which are most important to you.

Capacity

The average under-counter fridge, whether built-in or freestanding, will give you around 90 litres of usable space. You’ll get more than double that in the average tall fridge, which might be more suitable if you live in a large household or prefer to do big weekly food shops.

Chilling speed

The faster that food is chilled, the less time potentially harmful bacteria has to eat into the lifespan of your groceries. We’ve found that some fridges take several hours longer to chill than others, which won’t help to keep food fresher for longer. Some models come with a super-chill setting, designed to provide a burst of chilling power when you need it. This might be useful when you’re unloading a big shop, but it will force the fridge to work harder, consuming more energy.

Colour

White is by far the most common colour for a fridge, but others are available. We’ve tested silver, stainless-steel and black fridges in all shapes and sizes. If you’re looking to add a splash of colour to your kitchen, retro models tend to be available in colours such as red, cream and blue.

Dimensions

Fridges are often 50-60cm wide and 60-70cm deep. Under-counter models are usually 85cm high or less, while tall models are usually 150-190cm in height. It is possible to buy models that are 86-150cm high.

Door features

If you’re tight on space and want to keep your fridge in a corner, you may want to buy a one with a reversible door. An increasing number of models come with a door alarm to alert you when it's been open too long or if you haven’t closed it properly.

Ease of use and cleaning

The worst fridges have weak or poorly designed shelves, awkward drawers that don’t pull out smoothly, and nooks and crannies that can harbour spillages and crumbs. We test every fridge for ease of use and how easy it is to clean, so you can pick one that won’t end up leaving you frustrated.

Ice box

A fridge with an ice box can be handy if you only need a freezer for the bare essentials or if you own a separate freezer that’s always full and need a bit more space. 

LED control panel

Older style fridges come with a plastic thermostat dial to adjust the temperature. More modern models come with a sleek control panel with LED screen to access settings such as super-cool and which tell you what temperature your fridge is currently at.

Running costs

Annual running costs vary significantly based on the fridge’s size and efficiency. The most economical freestanding fridge costs around £21 to run for a year, while the most expensive costs more than £56. The least economical integrated fridge we’ve seen costs more than £87 to run each year versus less than £28 for the most frugal. Save money over its lifespan by using our reviews to pick out an efficient model.

Shelves and drawers

We count the number of shelves, drawers and door racks in every fridge we review, so you know exactly what the storage options are. We also check for less-common features such as bottle shelves, humidity-controllable crisper drawers for fresh produce and chiller drawers for meat, fish and seafood.

Some brands offer feature-packed models that cost a lot more, too. Our guide will help you decide which fridge brand to buy from.

What size fridge should I buy?

The exact fridge size you get will depend on the space you have to house it in your kitchen. Whatever type you're looking for, it's important to get the dimensions right.

Check whether you need to add extra space at the sides, back and/or top to allow air to circulate. Some models don't need this extra space, but some need as much as 5cm on either side, so check before you buy.

Fridge storage space

Manufacturers measure volume with all the shelves, drawers and door racks taken out. When we test fridges, we leave everything in place and measure the space you can actually use for storing food.

We find big differences between manufacturers' claimed capacities and real storage space – the worst offenders can differ by more than 25%. This means that even fridges with the same dimensions can hold different quantities of food.

So check our capacity sizes before you buy to make sure you're getting the maximum amount of storage space for your money. You'll find real sizes listed on the technical specification tab of all of our fridge reviews.

Large or small, you'll need to keep it clean. Find out how to deep-clean your fridge.

How much do I need to pay to get a good fridge?

The average price of the fridges we've reviewed is around £739 at the time of writing, but you don't have to spend that much to get a great one.

We've tested some outstanding Best Buys that cost £500 or less and plenty of other good options within this price range. But we've also found some very poor models at lower price points, so you need to pick carefully if you're after a cheaper model.

Most of the integrated options we've tested cost more than £500. That said, there are some fantastic bargains out there, too, and our reviews can really help you sift through the duds.

Paying more can get you some cool features, such as a water dispenser in the door, a super-cool function that adds a boost of power to speed up the cooling process and warning alarms that alert you to an open door or rising temperature inside.

Want to buy a decent model without spending over the odds? Visit our fridge reviews and use the Great Value filter.

Fridge energy label changes

From 1 March 2021, a new energy label came into force, which replaced the confusing A+, A++ and A+++ ratings and reset the scale from A to G. This is designed to reinvigorate the sustainability race for manufacturers by completely emptying the top A rating to leave room for improvement.

The new label for refrigeration (above) states the capacity of chilled and/or frozen compartments in litres. There's also a new measure for noise emissions.

Can I buy a sustainable fridge?

Much of the environmental impact of a fridge comes from the fact that it's on all day, every day.

When you're looking to replace a faulty model, buy one that’s energy efficient – not only to reduce your carbon footprint, but also save money along the way.

Not all energy-efficient fridges are good chillers, and some are from brands that develop faults quicker than average.

That's why we've started recommending Eco Buy fridges. We've carefully chosen models that balance good chilling performance with energy efficiency and brand reliability.

To see all the most sustainable models we've tested, go to our fridge reviews and use the Eco Buy filter.

What should I know before buying a fridge for my garage?

Every fridge has a climate class, which tells you the range of room temperatures it’s designed to work in. In the shop, you'll see the climate class denoted by letters – we've put these below, along with our explanation of what temperature each class relates to:

• 10-32°C: SN (subnormal)
• 16-32°C: N (normal)
• 16-38°C: ST (subtropical)
• 16-43°C: T (tropical)

The two you’re most likely to come across are SN and N. Both work effectively in room temperatures up to 32°C, but only SN models are designed to work in rooms that get as cold as 10°C. It’s possible for kitchens to reach such chilly temperatures during the winter months.

Unless the manufacturer states otherwise, using a fridge outside of its designated range could damage it and invalidate your warranty, which is why you'll struggle to find ones suitable for the garage.

Regardless of climate class, we test every fridge in room temperatures as high as 32°C and as low as 10°C, as this is how hot and cold in can get in your kitchen at different times of the year.

The worst models struggle to maintain a safe and stable temperature in these conditions, potentially reducing the lifespan of your food.

Go to 'what temperature should a fridge be?' to learn more.